Thanks for all the reads and reviews. I'm glad to see some people are enjoying.
Here's a little more to move us along.
Chapter 3 Boiling Point
Daryl's eyes snapped open and he groaned, chuckling to himself. Sitting up he realized that sleeping on the couch was worse than sleeping on a prison cot. He made a mental note to himself if he was going to be stuck on the couch to buy a new one once he was getting a steady paycheck again.
Standing up he stretched rubbing his hands across his chiseled chest and stomach. He shivered a little because of the chilly air coming in from the front window, but he smiled to himself glad that he could feel the crisp morning air.
Yawning he walked down the hallway and went into the bathroom.
Once he was done taking care of his business he stepped back into the hallway and took a deep breath. He smiled, "Coffee."
Walking into the kitchen he smiled at the sight of Carol. She had her back to him but god he loved waking up and seeing her.
He walked over and grabbed a cup from the cabinet and filled it up with coffee. Taking a drink, he moaned making Carol looked over at him. His voice was rough with sleep, "Damn I miss this, my rose you make one hell of a cup of coffee."
Carol took him, his hair was a mess and the sight of him in sleep pants that were hanging low on his hips made her body shudder. She blushed looking away from him trying to focus on her lunch. She was pissed at him, for so many reasons, she wasn't going to let him drag her back in. At least NOT without some real begging. He needed to show her that he was sticking around, that he was finally there with them.
Daryl smirked as he took another sip of his coffee. He didn't miss the way her eyes had drunk him in. He had worried she didn't want him, that she was done, that she had moved on. But in the spilt second he saw the mask drop and he saw that she had that same fire and desire for him.
He moved closer to her, leaning against the counter near her. His eyes roaming down her body. He noticed she was wearing black scrubs and he wrinkled his nose, even though they made her ass look delicious he was confused to why she was wearing them, "What the hell are you wearing?"
Carol didn't look over at him, "My WORK clothes."
Daryl set his coffee mug down and moved closer to her, his hand going to her ass giving it a squeeze. His pecker jumped in his sleep pants and he leaned in at the same time taking a deep breath of her scent, "You don't have a job and you look ridiculous."
Carol felt her blood boil, she turned pushing him a little making him stumble back, hissing through her teeth, "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TOUCHING ME. WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?"
Daryl growled, "I'M YOUR FUCKIN' HUSBAND! OR DID YOU FORGET?"
Carol took her finger and poked him in the center of the chest hard, "I DON'T HAVE A HUSBAND HE DISAPPEARED! TOOK OFF ON ME AND OUR KIDS WHEN WE NEEDED HIM THE MOST."
Daryl grabbed her wrist, "I'M RIGHT THE FUCK HERE!"
Carol tried to pull her hand out of his hand but he gently started pulling her toward him. Daryl saw the fear skitter across her face, "I'm right here my rose."
Carol shook her head, "STOP, don't call me that!"
Daryl shook his head at her, pulling her so she was flush against his bare chest, "My rose. I'm here baby. I'm right here. I'm so fuckin' sorry Carol."
Carol looked into his eyes, they were the same stormy steel blue that she had looked into all those years ago, in the alley where he found her. She hated how he always made her feel, like she might go crazy if she wasn't with him.
Daryl knew she was struggling and he leaned closer to her his breath fanning over her face, "My perfect rose. My lifeline."
Carol pulled away from him before his lips touched hers, she shook her head. "NO. You can't come in here and act like you're in charge. I've held us together, me and Adam. That boy stepped up. I wouldn't be here without those kids. Remember those kids you wouldn't even see."
Daryl groaned running his hands through his hair, his hands going to his hips, "DAMN IT! I didn't want ya'all to see me like that. I was broken, ok? I fucked up. I wanted to make things better and I fucked everything up. But I'd do it all fuckin' again if it meant you lived. Don't you get that?"
Carol hugged herself and looked up at him slowly, her voice soft, "I know why you did what you did." Her eyes locked on his and he saw her eyes harden, "But I also know you acted like a coward. You were afraid to see me die. Let's be honest."
Daryl felt his heart lurch, he knew deep down she was partly right. The thought of seeing her die, well he would've went right with her. His chest was heaving, his woman knew him. She knew he asked Merle to stop bringing them because he saw how the treatments and the strain of his trail had weakened her. He saw how scared the kids were and he couldn't handle it. He was as his son said, a chicken shit.
Carol turned putting her lunch into a bag. She turned around and saw him standing there. She knew she had hit the nail on the head. She squared her shoulders and raised her chin high. When he finally looked up at her, she looked every inch the Dixon woman she was, "I'm getting a ride into town with Andrea. You can take my car to the shop. If you plan on trying to fix, you need to work. I'm not shouldering everything alone anymore."
She turned and walked out the door. Daryl stood there staring at the door, his chest heaving. He picked up his coffee mug and smashed it into the sink. His hands gripped the sink as he stood there tears rolling down his face.
Standing up he took a deep breath and wiped at his face. Looking back at the door she left through he nodded. He would make it up her. One thing he knew, they were it, they were what people searched their whole lives for and he wasn't letting her or the kids again. He'd die first.
-Titans-
Daryl walked into the shop and smiled. His brother had done good. It still amazed Daryl sometimes that Merle of all people was a respected business and family. Anyone that would've seen him before he met Andrea would know how far he had come. Andrea seemed to stop him in his tracks, no more whoring around, no more drugs, no more bar room fights. It all stopped when he met her. Now looking around at the small welding shop he couldn't help but beam with pride.
He heard a door open and smiled at Merle as he came out to greet him.
Merle had wide grin on his face, his hand coming out to slap Daryl on the back, "Good to see you didn't die last night."
Daryl chuckled, "Who would've thought being home would be more dangerous than prison."
Merle draped his arm over Daryl's shoulders, sighing, "Yeah, I told ya they'd be pissed. Carol have at ya yet?"
Daryl nodded swallowing hard, "This morning before she left for work."
Merle nodded moving away from him, "Yeah Andrea said she was real upset this morning."
Daryl paled, "I fuckin' hate this. I just want to fix this shit, get back to the life I had before."
Merle shrugged, "Life went on without ya little brother lots have changed."
Before Merle could say anything, else someone started clapping. Daryl and Merle looked up as Merle's best friend Ken walked up clapping, "DAMMMMNNN boy. When you do some shit, you do some shit."
Daryl didn't have time to react he was pulled into a bear hug and lifted off his feet. Daryl grunted as the big man spun him around. When Daryl hit his feet he almost fell over. Both Ken and Merle laughing at him. Ken slapped him in the back of the head, "SO shit head you're coming to work here."
Daryl nodded looking down the small aisle at the different work stations. He could see his son bent over a part his welding helmet down. Daryl looked back at Merle, "Did you tell him?"
Merle sighed, "I talked to him this morning. He's pissed but he ain't gonna do anything. Just don't get in his way."
Merle nodded and Daryl followed him down the aisle. As they passed Adam he flipped up his welding helmet and glared at him. Daryl sighed looking across from Adam he saw Caleb smirking at him. Daryl stopped and hugged his nephew. Caleb whispering in his ear, "Don't worry he's a pussy he'll get over it."
Daryl huffed and released the boy and walked toward the small work station that Merle had set up for him. After he left Daryl turned on the machine, when he turned around Adam was standing there glaring at him. The boy's hands were at his sides clenched into fists. Daryl eyed him up taking off his jacket and hanging it on the back of his chair. He gripped the top of the chair and stared at his son, "Looks like we need to get pass some shit."
Adam nodded, "Yeah we do."
Daryl motioned toward the door, "Let's take this shit outside then."
Adam walked away and Daryl followed. Merle stood up from his chair, "HEY WHAT THE FUCK DID I SAY ADAM?"
Daryl shook his head and followed his son outside. Merle, Ken, and Caleb all hot on their heels.
When he got outside Adam stripped his shirt off and faced his dad growling, "I've grown up since your ass left."
Daryl nodded taking in his son, the boy was almost a half foot taller than him and he was filling out. Daryl stripped off his shirt and heard Merle sigh from behind him. "DAMN IT CAROL IS GONNA KILL MY ASS."
Daryl and Adam circled each other, their eyes locked, "Don't worry Merle this shit has be settled. The momma's boy here needs to remember his ass ain't the man of the house no more."
That did just what Daryl hoped it would. Adam charged him. Daryl was thrown onto his back, Adam was straddling his chest. His fist slamming into his father's face, "YOU LEFT! YOU LEFT HER! SHE COULD'VE DIED! YOU LEFT ALL OF THEM! YOU….LEFT…..ME!"
Daryl didn't try to fight back he let his son get it all out of his system. He felt Adam sag against his sobs ripping from the boy's body. Daryl grabbed him holding him as he cried, "I got ya boy. I'm real damn sorry but I promise I ain't goin' anywhere again. I love ya boy. Let it out, son."
Daryl felt his own tears fall. Just glad he could help his son, give his son some peace. He hugged him tighter against him, he would never let them go again.
Merle had motioned for Ken and Caleb to go inside. He looked up into the sky just as the heavens opened. The rain falling on the father and son that were now laying in the parking lot, one a bloody mess and the other a sobbing mess of emotion.
Merle smiled as he walked back into the shop letting them have their moment. He hoped that it was over, that Adam would help his dad now. As he got near the shop office he saw Caleb and Ken standing there, both of them staring at the small tv on Merle's desk.
"At this hour, we don't know if these attacks have anything to do with the illness that is filling up hospitals all over the country. We know that marshal law is in effect. Schools are closing all over the state. If you don't have to go out the CDC is asking you stay inside. I'm sure we will have more on this as it develops."
Caleb looked over at his dad, "What the fuck is happening?"
Merle shook his head, "I have no fuckin' clue." He put his hand on his son's shoulder, knowing that something was coming and it wasn't good.
-Titans-
When Daryl and Adam got home that night they found Carol and the kids in the living room watching the television.
Carol had her hand on her chest, when she turned and looked at them she went right to Daryl, "What happen? Are you hurt? Who did this?"
Daryl knew he looked bad. He had tried to clean up at the shop but he had one hell of a black eye and his lip was spilt in two places not to mention the cut above his eyebrow. He put his hands gently on hers as she touched his face. He couldn't believe she was touching him and that thought alone made him happy, "I'm fine woman. Our boy and me had a little talk. Had to work out a few things is all."
Carol looked over at Adam who was staring innocently at his mother, "What?"
Carol sighed crossing her arms over her chest, "I don't want you two fighting. I told you…."
Daryl put his hands on her shoulders, "It's fine woman, just a little talk." Daryl looked over at Adam and smiled, turning back to Carol, "You know how Dixon men handle things."
Carol looked at Adam who shrugged, "Yup, just a little talk."
Carol shook her head and turned back to the television, motioning with her hand, "Have you seen this?"
Daryl moved up behind her, his eyes fixed on the television, "We saw."
The woman on the news came back on her face showed how shaken up she was, "We just received word that all hospitals in Atlanta are full of the sick. The National Guard has set up evacuation areas for those who are not sick. The mayor has asked that anyone that can get as far from the city as they can. If you see the sick don't approach them. If you can stay indoors."
Carol looked over her shoulder at Daryl, he put a hand on her back, "What is happening?"
Daryl shook his head, "I don't know."
Carol sighed, walking over she turned off the television set looking at Micah, Sophia, and Adam, "I want everyone to stay put tonight. I have to go back to the hotel and cover a shift for someone that is sick. Stay with your dad. Sophia and Micah get your rooms cleaned up. Adam help your father with dinner."
She started walking toward the kitchen, Adam and Daryl hot on her heels. Daryl grabbed her wrist, spinning her around so she was looking at him, "STOP! You can't go out there."
Carol put a hand on his chest and gave him a soft smile, "I'll be fine, we're an hour from Atlanta. I work at a small-town hotel, it's going to be fine. I promise."
Daryl shook his head, "I don't like it. Something is off. Why ya gotta go back in?"
Carol sighed moving away from him, "Someone called off, I'm taking half the shift then someone will be in after me."
Adam shook his head, "I agree with dad you need to stay here."
Carol chuckled, her purse on her shoulder, "I guess your dad and I should have a fist fight and work our things out. Seemed to work for the two of you."
Daryl felt his pecker jump in his jeans, he gave her his best Dixon smirk, his eyes dark, "Well woman if ya want to stay home I'll naked wrestle ya and I'll even let ya win."
Carol felt her face heat up. She felt a pooling of heat between her legs and had to look away from her husband. She shook her head moving toward Adam she kissed his cheek, "Your dad is disgusting."
Adam nodded looking a little sick, "Fuckin' perverts in this family."
Carol walked around Daryl heading for the back door, "I'll be back after eight. Stay put."
Daryl watched her leave and he turned to his son, "Start dinner, be right back."
Daryl jogged outside, the rain was now a soft drizzle as he made his way to Carol, turning her gently as she opened the car door.
Carol sighed, "Daryl….."
His lips crushed into hers and he felt her try to pull away but he didn't let her. He trapped her with his arms caging her body against the car. He felt her melt into him and he slipped his tongue into her mouth gently caressing her tongue with his. When she trapped his tongue in her mouth and suckled it, he felt like he might explode.
He pulled away from her knowing she could feel his erection digging into her stomach. Both of them were breathless, "Don't go."
Carol cupped his cheek with her hand, "I'll be back at eight and we can talk."
Daryl grunted, "But I…."
Her lips found his and she kissed him softly. Pulling away she smiled at him, "I'll be home at eight, take care of the kids."
She pushed on his chest and got into the car. He stood there panting a little, not even caring that his lip was bleeding again. He knocked on her window. She rolled it down and he nodded at her, "You fuckin' call if ANYTHING seems off."
Carol smiled, "Promise, go be with our kids."
Daryl stood there and watched as she drove away. He felt someone behind him and looked to see Adam standing next to him. Adam handed him a cigarette and both of them lit them heading for the porch. As they watched Carol disappear out of sight Adam chuckled, "That was some fuckin' Notebook shit. Kissing her in the rain. Nice."
Daryl wrinkled his nose, "What the fuck is the Notebook?"
Adam chuckled, "A romance movie. Mom loves it."
Adam threw his cigarette into the yard and Daryl stood there disgusted, "Jesus what has your mom done to you?"
Adam smirked, "Made me a good man. Come on old man let's make dinner."
Daryl looked down the drive one last time and followed his son inside the house. Something was off, he didn't know what it was, but something was off. He went into the house not knowing that their whole world would change tonight.
